The National tribune., 1887-12-08
GEN. ELI LONG.
A Soldiers Tribute 20 a Gallant Cavalry Ls.

N tUiOlefh iflhute TO a Natlaht NANAfTt
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Having no
tiCed many stories about cavalry leaders, fail
20 End one name that think should stand at
the head, the coolest and most deliberate man
and soldier that il was my lot 10 meet during
the entire war. Perhaps you ask, who do
refer toY
GEN. ELI long
was no newspaper soldier. but TO him properly
belongs the main credit of the grand massed
cavalry charge made on the rebel lines when
they had us entirely surrounded nj LoveIoy
Station, Ga, Aug. 20 1864 and for which the
gallant Fitzpatrick received so much praise.
Long deserves great share OF 10, as per-
sonaiiy know that he sent back his Orderly,
Prince, 10 have the led horses headed In solid
mass toward the Latonia road; and this with
out orders from anyone. The bulk Of the com
mand that day was not Kilpatrick's, but Eli
Longs Second Division; only two regiments oil
Gen. Fitzpatrick S own division. the Third, being
along with the expedition. These regiments
were the 9th and 10th Ohio Cav, which were
equipped, each alternate man, with either pick
or cr0wbar 10 tear up the railroad. Fitzpatrick
only commanded bis own division during this
expedition. That Fitzpatrick was a soldier,
every inch Of him, i know, and il troubles mo
hard TO give him too much credit; but Kill,
as the boys familiarity called him, was con-
sidcraby excited on the Goth of August, 1854,
as there was not a hole left large enough for a
rabbit 10 get through, while three different
rebel commanders were sending flags of truce at
the same time, demanding the honor OF
RECEIVING OUR SURRENDER.
Well, they got it right and left over their
heads with sabcrs as was always the case with
Fitzpatrick and Long riding out in front, which
they always did, and that night the boys got
the finest nights sleep in four days in drench-
ing rain. viii state here that the mounted in.
iantTy brigade known as the Wilder Brigade,
and commanded since Chickamauga by Col.
Miller, was not along on this trip and many Of
the boys Of that command grumbled like blazes
ut not heing along, for better metal was never
formed into brigade than Wilders men.
Some OF the old vets may inquire who Gen.
Ell Long is, not having seen his name men,
toned in the many big stories written.
Eli Long was Captain Of Co. X, 4th u. S.
Cav (the old LIST Cay.) at Stone River, where
he gathered mp a portion of our stampeded
cavalry and led them back in the charge, the
result Of which turned the fortune of the
day between the two contending armies. He
was shortly aiterward Feb. %, 1862 promoted
TO be
COLONEL OF THE arm OHIO CAV,
Col. John Kennett having resigned on account
OF i'll health. When this splendid soldier-Eli
LOng-toOk command of the regiment some Of
the field officers forthwith resigned thinking
themselves sighted by having a Captain pro-
NOTED over them. Among these were Majs.
{. @. McGrue and John J.. Pngh but the sol
diers of the old 4th Ohio soon learned that their
(the Major loss was an actual gain TO the regi-
ment.
in the carly Summer Of 1863 Col Long was
put in command Of the Second Brigade, Second
Division of the Cavalry Corps Gen. J. b.
Turchin then commanded the division, but
was shortly after relieved by Gen. George
Crook, since known as the great Indian fighter.
Crook was soon sent TO West Virginia, and Gen.
Kenner Garrard succeeded 10 the command of
the old Second Division, but in front of Atlanta
about August 1864, Iii Long took command of
the division, when he was promoted TO Briga.
dler-Genoral and commanded the same 10 the
close OF the war
GEN. LONG WAS BADLY WOUNDED
Mt Stone River, and was wounded again al Love-
JOY Station after the charge had been successful
aud we were only warding off the Johnnies
who were trying 10 pursue us. Finally, at
Selma, Ala, where he charged with the old
Second Division over what the rebels had
thought impregnable works, this cool and dar-
ing leader who never was known 10 be excited
during the entire war, received several wounds
which laid him up and made him paralytic
for life.
We took him along from Selma to Macon in
II laIEe-SlAcu taf4ldEe, nOl knowing Dut LlaL
each day would be his last on earth.
While the gallant Eli Long was thus being
conveyed along so dangerously wounded, news
was brought him when we were about four
miles from Macon 10 the effect that Gag Of
truce is at the head of the column, General,
stating that an armistice exists between Gen.
Sherman and Gen. Johnston. and the message
is sent by Gen. Howell Cobb"
Gen. Long reused up in wrath and said !:
fanNA hn
the column TO give the officers with the flag Of
truce
FIVE MINUTES TO GET OUT OF THE WAY.
This command don't receive messages from
Howell Cobb"
The column at once moved forward in GAL
lop, and entering Macon surrounded the Arse
nal although Col. Miuty was in active COM
mand Of the division after Gen. Long was SO
badly wounded.
No commanding general officer was ever
more beloved by his men then Eli Long-not
even dear old Pap" Thomas, and hope some
fluent writer will take up the subject aud give
his name the prominence and Justice his name
and sOldierly services deserve.
Let some writer, too, say something for the
rank and file also; whose gencralship at times,
on small scale might have been eqHal 10 large
commands with proper Opportunity.-H. w.
DIcKMAE, 9TH Ohio Cav, Fort Wayne, Ind.
lNOTE-Brevet Maj.-Gen. Eli Long was
placed on the Regular Army retired list in
August, 1867, as full Major General, and en-
joyed that rank until March 3. 1875. when he
was reduced TO the grade OF Brigadier General
under the act whereby Brighten. Samuel w.
Crawford secured his own promotion from Colo
MEL and is now living ia New York City. lie
is a Kentuckian, and entered the service in
I6J6.-EDIToRl